Manga

During a discussion with Dr Jensen MP, I mentioned that the 1993 Manga Report seemed to confirm that Chiropractic’s inclusion within public health would be cost effective.

Dr Jensen correctly suggested that 17 years ago some of today’s MPs may have been in high school, hence they would know nothing of it. Although time flies, the Report's message remains relevant.

Many of our patients at Attadale chiropractic have read about the Magna Report.

The world at large remains ignorant of it. Please network this information with people who still cling to the misconception that chiropractic is not cost effective.

The Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of Chiropractic Management of Low-Back Pain:-The Manga Report;

Ontario Ministry of Health Canada 17th August 1993.

Ø Recommendations include ensuring that Chiropractors are the recommended provider for care for patients with Low Back Pain and that the increased utilisation of Chiropractic care by the general public will significantly reduce the overall cost of health care to the community. Professor Magna also recommends that all Tertiary Hospitals in Ontario employ Chiropractors and that Chiropractors should have admitting rights to hospitals for their patients.

Ø Most significantly Professor Magna makes the following comment: ‘A very good case can be made for making chiropractors the gatekeeper for management of LBP(Low Back Pain) in the workers’ compensation system in Ontario’ – Recommendation 4 p82

Ø Recommendation 8 states:- ‘the government should take all reasonable steps to actively encourage cooperation between providers, particularly the chiropractic, medical and physiotherapy professions.’

The Association would also like to direct the committee’s attention to Professor Manga’s position as Professor and Director, Masters in Health Administration Program at the University of Ontario. The Association has also included the National Associations commentary on the Magna report for the committee’s consideration.

This is a follow up report on the Ontario study mentioned above and further shows the cost-effectiveness of Chiropractic treatment whilst also emphasising the public benefit of Chiropractic care. This timely study provides even further justification for the associations claims related to the cost-effectiveness of Chiropractic care. A copy of a analysis of this report by David Chapman-Smith LL.B. (Hons.) is also included for the committees reference. The Association would especially like to draw the committees attention to the reports analysis that if Chiropractic care utilisation was doubled in Ontario then the Government is estimated to save $348 million Canadian dollars and indirect savings of $1.85 billion Canadian dollars. These figures must be of substantial interest to the committee. A copy of David Chapmans-Smith’s analysis of this study is also included. (Appendix 7)

Additional quotes from Manga,

Chiropractic services should be fully integrated into the health care system. Because of the high incidence and cost of LBP, hospitals, managed health care groups (community health centres, comprehensive health organisations, and health service organisations) and long-term care facilities should employ chiropractors on a full-time and/or part-time basis. Additionally such organisations should be encouraged to refer patients to chiropractors.

A comprehensive Canadian study, commissioned by the Ontario Ministry for Health, concluded that "highly significant" cost savings could be realized from the expanded use of chiropractic care for the treatment of low-back pain. It also recommended that chiropractic be "fully insured and integrated" in that government's health care system. This report also found that some traditional treatments for low-back pain are not only more costly, but are ineffective and sometimes harmful to patients. The researchers concluded that a good case could be made "for making chiropractors the gatekeepers for management of low back pain."